Agenda item

Train Operators' Updates

Minutes:

The Advisory Committee received the following updates from train operators:

 

GWR

 

GWR had held a very useful Webinar covering the whole of the region.  It was noted that this had focussed on operational issues.  Ed Goose had hoped to attend the meeting but had circulated information on the following:

 

Industrial Action

 

ASLEF had announced two new dates for industrial action by drivers on the 1st and 3rd February.  These would have a significant impact with a very minimal service to run across the network.  Talks were continuing with the RMT.  It was hoped that a deal could be concluded but a mandate remained for further action, but no additional dates had been announced.

 

769s:

 

It had been decided to pause the roll out of the 769’s and their lease was not going to be renewed.  Services would continue to be provided by the current fleet. The 769 programme, using third-rail, overhead wires or diesel engines along the North Downs route, had anticipated passenger numbers to have grown by around 12% across the network by this year.  However, changes in customer behaviour and demand since the pandemic meant the expected passenger numbers had reduced by around 3%

 

Greenford Battery Train:

 

Vivarail had sadly entered administration.  GWR was working with the DfT and wider industry to understand the next steps to ensure the vital battery train trial could happen.   Further details would be provided as soon as possible.

 

Ed was happy to respond to any questions on these or other matters.

 

SWR

 

Phil Dominey provided an update on Infrastructure issues including the landslip at Hook over the last weekend which had left 50m of track hanging in the air.  This had had major implications for the network.  Most services to the South West were therefore starting and terminating at Basingstoke.  A 90 minute shuttle service was running from Basingstoke to Woking.  Hook, Winchfield and Fleet were not being served.  There were also insufficient buses and drivers available to provide a scheduled replacement bus service.  Network Rail was looking at how to overcome a number of logistical issues to enable two track running as soon as possible.  They had also sent out an invitation to attend a virtual public meeting about Hook.

 

Phil also apologised for a series of problems on Monday which had resulted in only the Reading line being unaffected by problems.

 

There were a number of concerns expressed about communications which were described as poor, both to commuters and councillors.  Phil was surprised as he understood that an email had been sent to 2,500 recipients.  There were also concerns about the initial estimates of how long it would take to repair the line.  It was suggested that it would take several weeks or even months, not the days which had initially been suggested.

 

Phil indicated that Network Rail was seeking to find a way to restore a service as soon as possible.

 

It was also reported that there had been chaos and overcrowding at Waterloo on Monday with cancellations and delays.  Services from Alton and Aldershot were now crowded and it was therefore suggested that these should be extended from eight carriages to 12.  Phil undertook to raise this and capacity on the shuttle service to Farnborough.  It was also reported that smart ticketing had not been working properly.

 

Members of the Committee offered to help SWR disseminate information as it became available.

 

Phil also undertook to investigate a suggestion that schoolchildren travelling between Whitchurch and Salisbury had been left stranded when a train had not stopped at Whitchurch. 

 

He also drew attention to major engineering works at half term affecting the Reading and Windsor lines as well south of Guildford.  Woks at Wokingham were likely to impact GWR services too.

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk